The third episode of “Hard Knocks” relied heavily on segments about Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent and punter Tory Taylor, featured a stern warning from coach Matt Eberflus to his players to stay away from fighting while practicing together with the Bengals, and gave a glimpse into how close the team was to signing four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Matthew Judon.
General manager Ryan Poles agreed to send the Patriots a third-round pick for Judon to pair him with Montez Sweat – Poles said he ranked Sweat as the No. 14 defensive end in the NFL and Judon as No. 50 – but that was contingent on his agreeing to a contract extension.
The broadcast revealed that Poles was unwilling to pay Judon the guaranteed salary he wanted, and the Patriots sent him to the Falcons on August 14.
“We are trying to do a good job and create parameters for our club … now, but also in the future,” Poles said.
In a conversation with Matt Feinstein, the director of football administration, he added, “If he has 20 sacks, I’ll be sick,” but he couldn’t justify sacrificing future financial flexibility.
The Bears were so close that Eberflus asked senior director of player personnel Jeff King about it during practice.
“Do you think we can make it across the finish line?” asked Eberflus.
King replied, “I do.”
Before the Bears hosted the Bengals for a joint practice in the rain last week, Eberflus made it clear to the players that he would not tolerate any confrontations.
“If you fight, I will eject you immediately from the field and you will return to Halas Hall for conditioning,” he said in a team meeting. “That’s what will happen. All right?”
Afterwards, when there were no more problems, he gathered the players around him on the field and said: “I commend you for being professionals. There was no nonsense.”
The episode also highlighted quarterback Caleb Williams’ touchdown drive in Saturday’s 27-3 win over the Bengals. After his remarkable 45-yard pass to Rome Odunze, Williams was heard telling him into the microphone, “That’s what people wanted to see.”
When Williams scored a seven-yard touchdown three plays later, reaching the end zone for the first time as a professional, several Bears personnel tried to take the ball from him and put it aside for him. But Williams held on to it until he carried it himself into the locker room and stuffed it into a leather duffel bag.
Simone Biles, Lil Durk and Matt Ryan all made cameo appearances, undrafted rookie quarterback Austin Reed delivered an impressive rendition of Keyshia Cole’s “Love” and there was a long-awaited segment on Eberflus giving players nicknames.
The remaining two episodes will air on August 27 and September 3.
